EP1852159B1

EP1852159B1 - domino roulette

Info

Publication number: EP1852159B1
Application number: EP07251873.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Patrick Hebden
Original assignee: Waterleaf Ltd
Current assignee: Waterleaf Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-04
Filing date: 2007-05-04
Publication date: 2013-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-04
Also published as: ES2438024T3; CA2587298C; AU2007202016C1; US7976025B2; AU2007202016A1; EP1852159A2; US20070257436A1; AU2007202016B2; EP1852159A3; CA2587298A1

Description

The present invention relates to games of chance and more particularly to domino wagering games. Embodiments of the domino wagering games disclosed include wagering on particular bet types according to odds provided on a bet table. The games involve selecting one or more dominoes and determining if the selected domino(es) fall in the category of the wagered bet type.
Dominoes are believed to have originated in China in the 12th century, although Egyptian or Arabian origins have also been theorized. Dominoes appeared in Italy in the early eighteenth century, and spread to the rest of Europe throughout the remainder the 1700's, becoming one of the most popular games in both family parlors and pubs.
Several types of domino games exist, including single player solitaires and multiplayer games. Domino games are played for fun and for money. Generally, domino games begin with the dominoes spread out face-down on a table. The dominoes are manually moved around to shuffle them, and a particular number of dominoes are drawn by each player to form a hand. The object of most domino games is to be the first to get rid of all the dominoes in the player's hand. Some popular domino games include the Draw Game, the Block Game, Muggings, Matador, Bergen, Mexican Train, Chickenfoot, and Forty-Two.
Disclosed herein are embodiments of domino games in which players can wager on which domino or group of dominoes will be selected.
FR 466,677 A discloses a gaming table comprising a first area on which there is a roulette wheel having a plurality of positions arranged on a circle which is concentric with the wheel, each position being provided with a representation of one domino from a complete set of dominos so that the complete set is represented around the wheel; the roulette table being provided with a ball, capable of moving around the wheel until it lands on one of the positions to select the domino represented for that position; wherein each domino in the set comprises a face divided into two halves, each half displaying a number in a range of zero to a maximum number, the maximum number being at least six; and the complete set of dominos consists of dominos providing each possible combination of a number in said range displayed in one half and a number in said range displayed in the other half; the gaming table further comprising a second area on which there is a bet table carrying representations of the dominos in the set, on which a wager can be placed, the representations being arranged in rows and columns; the bet table also carrying wager regions corresponding to groups of dominos on which wagers can be placed, including a plurality of wager regions corresponding to columns of domino representations; and there being at least one wager marker which can be positioned (i) on one or more domino representations in the bet table to signify a wager on the domino or dominos or (ii) in a wager region to signify a wager on the dominos in the group for that region.
The present invention is characterised over such an arrangement in that on the bet table, the representations of dominos in the set are laid out in a triangular matrix of rows and columns, there being N + 1 rows and N + 1 columns, where N equals said maximum number; in the triangular matrix a first row sets out in numerical order the N+1 dominoes which display a base number, and each successive row (a) contains one less domino than the preceding row and (b) sets out, in numerical order, each remaining domino which displays a base number which is sequentially one more or less than the preceding row; and in the matrix there is a plurality of diagonals, each of which passes through a different associated group of diagonally arranged domino representations, wherein for each domino in such a group, the sum of the number displayed on one half of the face and the number displayed on the other half of the face, is the same as the sum for each other domino in the group; there being odds marked for said diagonals of the matrix, and there being respective wager regions corresponding to those diagonals, on which a bet can be placed using the wager marker.
In a domino game, a domino is selected by spinning the roulette wheel. The roulette wheel can be an actual wheel on a physical gaming table or a virtual wheel on a virtual gaming table in an electronic gaming machine.
Certain preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an illustration of an exemplary Bet Table with bet types and paylines for domino games of embodiments of the invention;
Figure 2 is an illustration of an exemplary Domino Roulette wheel for use in domino games of embodiments of the invention;
Figure 3 is an illustration of a betting loop that can be used in the games of embodiments of the invention;
Figure 4 is an illustration of an exemplary gaming table for Domino Roulette;
Figure 5 shows an illustration of a computer network for playing Domino Roulette;
Figure 6 shows a flow diagram of a method of embodiments of the invention; and
Figure 7 is an illustration of an exemplary Bet Table for domino games of embodiments of the invention.

Domino games are provided that may be played as a wagered table game, a video game, a combined table and video game, or as a practice wagering game on a personal computer. Embodiments disclosed encompass at least two categories of domino games, referred to herein as "domino roulette" and "domino reveal." As used herein, the term "domino" and "dominoes" includes conventional dominoes for playing the embodiments of the present invention. Dominoes are generally provided as tiles, but can also be provided in other forms, such as chips or cards. The dominoes typically include marking indicia (commonly referred to as "dots" or "pips") and two halves defined by a separating line. The dots can be inset on the face of the domino, or painted or otherwise placed on a face of the domino.
In one embodiment, the domino games provided herein involve wagering based on a bet table as exemplified in Figure 1.
Figure 1 shows a bet table for a standard 28 domino set (i.e. double-six domino set). The bet table shows a betting matrix, which provides the odds that a domino will be selected in the particular groups shown in the columns (Column Bets), rows (Row Bets), and diagonals (Dot Bets). Based on the bet table shown in Figure 1, various bet types can be made, including, but not limited to, column bets, row bets, dot bets, doubles bets, even and odd bets, tile bets, and on face bets.
In certain embodiments, a bet table can further comprise a betting loop (see Figure 3), that may be similar to a betting loop on the tables of European Roulette Gold. A player can place a wager on a specific domino by placing a chip or other monetary marker on a domino represented on the betting loop. The actual arrangement of dominoes on the betting loop can vary, thus, the arrangement shown in Figure 3 is exemplary of one arrangement.
In other embodiments, the bet table can further (or alternatively) comprise numbers corresponding to dots on the dominoes for placing Dot Bets as described below. In other embodiments, the bet table may take other forms such as a menu selection. The particular layout of domino markers on the bet table of Figure 1 is referred to as the triangle layout. Other layouts may be used depending upon the size and shape of the table, number of dominoes used, and other factors.
"Column bets" involve a player betting that the first domino (i.e. the domino selected using the methods described herein) will be in the selected column. According to the embodiment, the numbers of dominoes in each column may vary and so, accordingly, do the available odds. For example, the second column comprises two dominoes, the 0/1 and the 1/1. The true odds that the first domino will be in the second column are 14:1. Thus, a player wagering on the second column may be paid according to the 13:1 payline if the first domino is 0/1 or 1/1- giving the house a systematic advantage.
"Row bets" encompass a player betting that the first domino will be in a selected row. Numbers of dominoes in each column may vary and so, accordingly, do the available odds. For example, the sixth row comprises two dominoes, the 5/5 and the 5/6. The true odds that the first domino will be in the sixth row are 14:1. Thus, a player wagering on the sixth row may be paid according to the 13:1 payline if the first domino is 5/5 or 5/6.
"Dot bets" involve a player betting that the total number of dots on the first domino will equal the selected bet. The dot bets are made according to the diagonal lines in the betting matrix. The numbers of dominoes in each diagonal line vary and so, accordingly, do the available odds. For example, the first diagonal comprises two dominoes, the 0/2 and the 1/1. A player wagering that the first domino will have a total number of dots equal to two will be betting on the first diagonal. The true odds that the first domino will have a total of two dots are 14:1. Thus, a player wagering on the sixth row may be paid according to the 13:1 payline if the first domino has a total of two dots (i.e. the 0/2 or the 1/1 domino). It is noted that the numbers 0, 1, 11, and 12 only have a single tile in the standard double-six domino set, thus the odds are the same as betting directly on that tile.
"Doubles bets" involve the player betting that the first domino will be a double (e.g. 0/0, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3, 4/4, 5/5, or 6/6). The true odds that the first domino will be a double are 4:1. A player wagering on doubles will be paid 3:1 if the first domino is a double.
"Even and odd bets" are accomplished by a player betting that the total number of dots on first domino will either be an even or odd amount. In the standard double-six domino set, 16 of the total 28 dominoes have an even total (including 0/0) and 12 have an odd total. Therefore, the true odds that the first domino will have an even number of dots are 4:7 with a proposed payout of 2:3, and the true odds that the first domino will have an odd number of dots are 3:7 with a proposed payout of 1:1. Thus, a player wagering on evens will be paid 3:2 if the total number of dots on the first domino is an even number, and a player wagering on odds will be paid 1:1 if the total number of dots on the first domino is an odd number. In an alternative embodiment, the 0/0 tile is not included as either even or odd. In yet another embodiment, other tiles may also be provided that are neither even nor odd- these may include "0," "00," or other nonstandard dominoes.
"Tile bets" involve a player betting that the first domino will be a specific domino. For example, a player can wager that the first domino will be a 2/3. The true odds that a specific domino will be selected are 28:1 with a proposed payout of 26:1. Thus, a player wagering on the first domino may be paid 26:1.
"On face bets" involve a player betting that the first domino will comprise a selected number of dots on one half of its face. For example, a player can wager that the first domino will have a five on at least one half (i.e. 0/5, 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 4/5, 5/5, or 5/6). The true odds that a first domino will have a five on one half are 4:1 with a proposed payout of 3:1. Thus, a player wagering on the first domino may be paid 3:1.
In a particular embodiment, the betting matrix and odds can be changed by changing the make-up of the dominoes. For example, adding dominoes having up to seven dots on one half (i.e. 0/7, 1/7, 2/7, 3/7, 4/7, 5/7, 6/7, and 7/7) to the betting matrix makes the total number of dominoes 36, and the odds will change accordingly. Further, multiple sets of dominoes may be used at once, and/or portions of domino sets. In yet another embodiment, previously selected dominos are removed from the selection pool for the next selection - thus altering the odds.
In other embodiments, a progressive pot is provided, wherein a portion of the gross win is added to a pot to be paid only when a certain criteria is met. For example, an embodiment provides for Dynamite Double Progressive, wherein the progressive pot is paid to a single player when seven consecutive first dominoes have doubles in order from 0/0 to 6/6 (i.e. 0/0, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3, 4/4, 5/5, and 6/6). Alternatively, a Dynamite Double Progressive can be paid when consecutive first dominoes have doubles in order from 0/0 to 5/5, 0/0 to 4/4, 0/0 to 3/3, 0/0 to 2/2, or 0/0 to 1/1. It should be understood that, in a further embodiment, the progressive can begin with any double, not just the 0/0, and that the highest double is not limited to 6/6, but can be whatever highest double is in the domino set being used in the domino game.
Other progressive pots are encompassed herein, including a Run Progressive. For example, a progressive pot can be paid when consecutive first dominoes have consecutive numerical dots. For instance, a Run Progressive is achieved when consecutive first dominoes are 0/6, 1/6, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6, 5/6, and 6/6. A Run Progressive is not limited to dominoes having a six on one half, but can be achieved with any series of dominoes (e.g. 0/1 to 1/1, 0/2 to 2/2, 0/3 to 3/3, 0/4 to 4/4, or 0/5 to 5/5, etc.). The highest number in the Run Progressive is only limited by the highest double in the domino set being used in the domino game.
The bet table described above can be used to wager on the domino games, including "domino roulette" and "domino reveal."
The term "domino roulette" refers to a game that utilizes a roulette style wheel as described below. As in a standard roulette game, a spinning ball on a spinning wheel can be used to "select" a domino. A domino can be selected in this manner after at least one player has placed a wager on which domino or group of dominoes will be selected. Domino roulette can be played by a single player or by multiple players. "Domino roulette" is also referred to herein as "spin mode."
Figure 8 provides another example of a bet table and shows several wager markers or "chips" that indicate individual wagers. For instance wager marker 802 is indicative of a "tri bet" because the marker 802 partially covers three separate dominoes. In an exemplary embodiment, a tri bet wager can only be made on the diagonal edge of the bet matrix because that is the only portion of the bet matrix where a single chip can cover three dominoes. The tri bet can be paid when any of three partially covered dominoes are selected. Here, for instance, the tri bet shown by wager marker 802 would be paid when the next selected domino is any of 1/1, 1/2, or 2/2.
Wager marker 810 is indicative of a "quad bet" because the marker 810 partially covers four separate dominoes. In an exemplary embodiment, a quad bet wager can be made at the intersection of four separate dominoes on the bet table. The quad bet can be paid when any of the four partially covered dominoes are selected. Here, for instance, the quad bet shown by wager marker 810 would be paid when the next selected domino is any of 2/4, 2/5, 3/4, or 3/5.
Wager marker 808 is indicative of an "adjacent bet" because the marker 808 partially covers two adjacent dominoes. In an exemplary embodiment, an adjacent bet wager can be made at the intersection of two adjacent dominoes on the bet table. The adjacent bet can be paid when either of the two partially covered dominoes are selected. Here, for instance, the adjacent bet shown by wager marker 808 would be paid when the next selected domino is any of 1/3 or 1/4.
Wager marker 804 is indicative of a "column bet" because the marker 804 is located within the column bet region. Here, the column bet shown by wager marker 804 would be paid when the next selected domino is any of the dominoes shown in the column below the marker- namely 0/4, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, or 4/4. Similarly, "row bets" allow wagers that would be paid when the next selected domino of any of the dominoes shown in the row adjacent to a row bet wager marker (not shown). An adjacent column (or row) bet could also be provided that allows a single bet to cover two adjacent columns (or rows).
Wager marker 806 is indicative of an "on face bet" because the marker 806 is located within the on face bet region. Here, the on face bet shown by wager marker 806 would be paid when the next selected domino includes a "5" on its face (i.e., 0/5, 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 4/5, 5/5, 6/5).
Referring now to Figure 2, an example of a roulette style wheel that comprises dominoes from a standard 28 domino set is shown. Any suitable means for displaying dominoes, or indications of domino faces, on the wheel can be used to make the roulette style wheel. For instance, the dominoes can be actual domino tiles affixed to the wheel. Alternatively, impressions of dominoes can be imprinted on the wheel, or dominoes can be represented on the wheel (e.g. by pictures, drawings, or paintings of dominoes). The arrangement of dominoes shown in Figure 2 includes dominoes having pairs of numbers from zero to six. For example, 6/6 represents a domino wherein each half displays six dots, 5/6 represents a domino wherein one half displays five dots and the other half displays six dots. The dominoes shown in Figure 2 are commonly referred to as a double-six domino set. Any set of dominoes, however, can be arranged on a roulette style wheel for use in the methods disclosed herein, including but not limited to any set with double-seven up to double-eighteen. Alternatively, a standard set plus additional dominoes or a non-standard set of dominoes may be employed. In addition, the actual arrangement of dominoes on the roulette style wheel can vary. Thus, Figure 2 provides only an exemplary arrangement of a double-six domino set. Additional dominoes or indicators such as non-standard dominoes may be added to the roulette wheel. These may include "0" or "00," for instance.
In domino roulette, a player places a wager by making a bet type according to the bets shown in Figure 1. The roulette wheel is spun in one direction and a ball is tossed onto the wheel in the other direction. The ball lands on particular domino (i.e. the first domino) on the domino roulette wheel, for example the wheel shown in Figure 2. A player wins the wager when the ball lands on a domino that matches a domino in the player's wagered bet type. For example, if the player wagered that the first domino (i.e. the revealed domino) would be in the second column of the bet table shown in Figure 1, and the first domino was a 0/1 or a 1/1, then the player would be paid according to the 13:1 payline.
In one embodiment, the domino roulette can be played by one or more players, in electronic video formats, on personal computer, over a global computer network, or in a live casino table game setting.
In a live casino table game setting, each of one or more players is first afforded an opportunity to place a wager to participate in the game. A wager is made by betting according to the betting matrix shown in Figure 1. For example, a bet can be made by placing a chip or other marker on a tile, column, or row as shown on the bet table exemplified in Figure 1. After the first domino is selected, the bets on the table can be removed and/or paid according to the paylines if any player wins a wager, and the game can continue with new wagers being placed.
Figure 4 shows an exemplary table for playing Domino Roulette. As shown on Figure 4, the table comprises several areas for receiving wages, including the bet matrix, the doubles bet box, the odds bet box, the evens bet box, and on face bet boxes. The table also comprises a domino roulette wheel.
The embodiments of the domino wagering games disclosed herein are also operable in an electronic gaming machine. It is well known to utilize gaming machines, controlled by processing units, for operating wagering games. The processing unit is typically a computer microprocessor. The gaming machine incorporates a wager accepting means so that a player may place one or more wagers. Once a wager is accepted, a player can choose domino roulette for selecting a first domino. Alternatively, a player can choose domino roulette prior to placing a wager. Alternatively, domino roulette may be predetermined. A wager can be placed using a bet table (as shown for example in Figure 1) that is displayed on a gaming machine display unit such as a CRT screen, plasma screen, video screen, etc.
Where domino roulette is chosen, a gaming machine processor causes a virtual domino roulette style wheel to spin and randomly selects a first domino. The virtual domino roulette style wheel (as shown for example in Figure 2) is displayed on a gaming machine display unit such as a CRT screen, plasma screen, video screen, etc. The first domino is identified, for example, by a virtual ball spinning in the opposite direction as the virtual wheel, and stopping on a particular domino on the wheel. Thereafter, the processing unit causes the first domino to be compared to the player's wager to determine whether a payout is due. If the player wins the wager, the player is paid, for example, in credits or coins.
If domino roulette is implemented over a computer network, players from different geographic locations may participate. Figure 5 shows a simple networked gaming configuration 100, which may accommodate multiple players from a variety of locations. Configuration 100 includes computers 101-103, a server 104, and a network 105. The computers 101-103 are in communication with each other and the server 104 via the network 105. Each of the computers 1-3, for example, may include a processor that executes domino game software or allows a player to log into a domino game application running on a remote computer, such as the server 104. The server 104 may include a processor and software that provides a variety of functions which may include, setting up and maintaining a game, inviting players, tracking wagers, receiving electronic payments, and distributing electronic payouts, to name a few. Other networked configurations are possible such as a peer-to-peer network. Further, the network 105 may be a local area network or other network that allows a player to remotely play the domino game.
Published PCT application WO 03/093921 A2 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0079331 disclose systems whereby multiple distributed gaming workstations may engage in gaming activity via a central gaming server over a computer network such as the Internet.
Figure 6 is a flow diagram that shows a method 10 of wagering on at least one domino selected from a group of dominos. At block 12, a participant wagers a bet type indicative of the at least one domino. After the wager, a domino is selected from the group of dominos, shown at block 14. At block 16, a determination is then made as to whether the domino is within the wagered bet type. This flow process may serve as a logical basis for developing a computer implemented gaming system that operates according to the rules of one or more of the domino games.
As described herein, the domino games can use domino tiles, or any other means of presenting dominoes, such as on cards or chips.
Throughout the specification, a number of paylines and payouts are given for various potential wagers. It should be understood that these proposed paylines and payouts are merely exemplary, and other payline and payout schemes may be configured depending upon the desired "house edge" and/or other factors. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with an explanation of various possible embodiments and modifications thereto, this disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

A gaming table comprising a first area on which there is a roulette wheel having a plurality of positions arranged on a circle which is concentric with the wheel, each position being provided with a representation of one domino from a complete set of dominos so that the complete set is represented around the wheel; the roulette table being provided with a ball, capable of moving around the wheel until it lands on one of the positions to select the domino represented for that position;
wherein each domino in the set comprises a face divided into two halves, each half displaying a number in a range of zero to a maximum number, the maximum number being at least six; and the complete set of dominos consists of dominos providing each possible combination of a number in said range displayed in one half and a number in said range displayed in the other half;
the gaming table further comprising a second area on which there is a bet table carrying representations of the dominos in the set, on which a wager can be placed, the representations being arranged in rows and columns; the bet table also carrying wager regions corresponding to groups of dominos on which wagers can be placed, including a plurality of wager regions corresponding to columns of domino representations;
and there being at least one wager marker which can be positioned (i) on one or more domino representations in the bet table to signify a wager on the domino or dominos or (ii) in a wager region to signify a wager on the dominos in the group for that region;
characterised in that
on the bet table, the representations of dominos in the set are laid out in a triangular matrix of rows and columns, there being N+1 rows and N+1 columns, where N equals said maximum number; in the triangular matrix a first row sets out in numerical order the N+1 dominoes which display a base number, and each successive row (a) contains one less domino than the preceding row and (b) sets out, in numerical order, each remaining domino which displays a base number which is sequentially one more or less than the preceding row;
and in the matrix there is a plurality of diagonals, each of which passes through a different associated group of diagonally arranged domino representations, wherein for each domino in such a group, the sum of the number displayed on one half of the face and the number displayed on the other half of the face, is the same as the sum for each other domino in the group;
there being odds marked for said diagonals of the matrix, and there being respective wager regions corresponding to those diagonals, on which a bet can be placed using the wager marker.
A gaming table as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are respective wager regions corresponding to the rows of the matrix, on which a bet can be placed using the wager marker.
A gaming table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the table is a virtual table represented on an electronic display unit.
A gaming table as claimed in claim 3, wherein a computer (101, 102, 103) with the electronic display unit is connected to a server (104) over a network (105).
A gaming table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number displayed in each half of a domino is represented by a corresponding number of pips.
A gaming table as claimed in claim 1, wherein one side of the triangular matrix comprises dominoes which have the same number displayed on one half of the face and on the other half of the face, and there is a wager region on which a bet can be placed using the wager marker so as to select any of dominoes on that one side of the triangle.
A gaming table as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said diagonals is provided with an indication of the sum of the number displayed on one half of the face and the number displayed on the other half of the face for the dominoes in the group associated with that diagonal.